After over a year of postponed celebrations and parties, we are finally reconnecting with friends and loved ones in person--the perfect opportunity for some handcrafted hostess gifts! Let's make some beautiful napkins that easy to make and are sure to please.
Supplies:
- 4 16.5" x 16.5" squares of fabric. Get creative! You can use cotton or linen. If you've got coordinating cotton prints--how cute would that be? Or cut four pieces from one fabric.
- coordinating thread
- scissors
- pins or Clever Clips
- iron & wool pressing mat
- 1/4" foot
Instructions:
Napkins have a finished size any size from 16" x 16" to 20" x 20"--so cut the size that works best with your fabric. I chose to go with a finished 16" x 16" square. Also, 90% of making napkins is actually folding and pressing--don't get discouraged! Just make sure your iron is super hot, and having a wool pressing mat certainly helps.
1. Miter the corners. I just learned an easier way to miter corners that involves less fiddling. Measure in 1/2" diagonally from the corner. Trim. Repeat for all sides. Turn the trimmed edge in 1/4" and press.
2. Create the napkin hem--fold the long edges of the napkins in 1/4", press, and fold again another 1/4" and press. The pressed edges from the sides should meet at the corners without a gap--pin this in place.
3. Attach your 1/4" foot to your sewing machine. Sew at 1/4" seam allowance around the perimeter of the napkin.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the other three napkins.
Voila! You've got a lovely hostess gift!